Odontology Victim Identification Skill Assessment System

• NCJ Number: 231234
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 788-791
• Author(s): Harry K. Zohn, D.M.D.; Sheila Dashkow, D.D.S.; Kenneth W. Aschheim, D.M.D.; Lawrence A. Dobrin, D.M.D.; Howard S. Glazer, D.D.S.; Mitchell Kirschbaum, D.D.S.; Daniel Levitt, D.M.D.; Cecile A. Feldman, D.M.D.
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 4 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Foundation of University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 18-23, 2008, in Washington, DC.

Annotation

Mass fatality identification efforts involving forensic odontology can involve hundreds of dental volunteers. A literature review was conducted and forensic odontologists and dental educators consulted to identify lessons learned from past mass fatality identification efforts.

Abstract

As a result, the authors propose a skill assessment system, the Odontology Victim Identification Skill Assessment System (OVID-SAS), which details qualifications required to participate on the Antemortem, Postmortem, Ante/Postmortem Comparison, Field, and Shift Leader/Initial Response Teams. For each qualification, specific skills have been identified along with suggested educational pedagogy and skill assessment methods. Courses and assessments can be developed by dental schools, professional associations, or forensic organizations to teach and test for the skills required for dental volunteers to participate on each team. By implementing a system, such as OVID-SAS, forensic odontologists responsible for organizing and managing a forensic odontology mass fatality identification effort will be able to optimally utilize individuals presenting with proven skills. 1 table and 16 references (Published Abstract)